Murim Troubleshooter Dan Mujin

Chapter 26: The One Left Atop the Cliff

Excess is as bad as deficiency. It means that overdoing something can be worse than doing too little.

Why bring this up now?

Because I'm going through a similar situation.

Tss-tsst—

The good karma I accumulated, even getting stabbed in the process, and the polygonum multiflorum that absorbed the spiritual energy of Mount Tai for forty years.

The momentum of the Starfall Heart Cultivation Method surged forward like bamboo splitting under pressure, relentlessly pounding the weakened Evil Star and stealing its energy.

Then, an abnormal phenomenon occurred.

Crack—

A thin crack appeared across the burning red surface of the Evil Star.

I immediately halted my breathing technique and ran straight to Hwang Geolgae to report this astounding fact.

"A crack? Did you piss yourself?"

As usual, completely drunk, Hwang Geolgae blurted out nonsense first.

"No, I mean the Evil Star cracked."

I tapped the crown of my head as I spoke—the same spot he always used to flick without warning.

"Eh? That even possible?"

"I'm asking because it doesn't seem possible."

Seeing my serious expression, Hwang Geolgae put down his wine bottle and placed a hand on my head.

"Hmm..."

His two eyes flickered blue—likely operating the Starfall Heart Cultivation Method. A deep furrow formed between his brows as his expression turned grave.

"Getting anything?"

"Not a clue."

Sometimes this guy is truly useless.

He exuded the air of someone who’d figured something out, only to say—

"Still, one hypothesis does come to mind. To think this cultivation method had such a function..."

Perhaps he'd expelled the drunkenness with his qi, as his eyes now carried a solemn clarity.

So, what is this phenomenon exactly?

"You said you’ve recently built up significant good karma, and while channeling that, struck the Evil Star repeatedly, which caused a crack to appear?"

"Yes, that's right."

I bled profusely while helping Ilhong, rescued the kidnapped children, and even found jobs for orphans with nowhere to go.

In just the past few days, the number of people I’ve saved exceeded thirty.

"Even a boulder can be pierced by dripping water. If this tiny crack can be widened further..."

"If?"

Hwang Geolgae, stroking his beard, continued in a hushed tone.

"You might be able to escape the fate of the Heaven-Slaying Star."

"..."

My eyes widened in shock.

Could this mean I might rid myself of this ticking time bomb in my head?

"...You mean I can truly shatter the Evil Star?"

"If that is indeed the will of the person who passed down this cultivation method."

Well, that’s not very reassuring.

So it all depends on the intentions of some mysterious Divine Wind Daoist?

"Anyway, just keep building up good karma. Continue relentlessly striking the weakened Evil Star and draining its energy."

Even the collapse of a massive levee starts with a single crack, or so they say.

His advice was clear: if I didn’t want to be devoured by the Heaven-Slaying Star, I needed to keep accumulating good karma without pause.

"Is that something you can just decide to do? There has to be some situation or job for it first."

"You little... that’s why I told you to start living like a chivalrous hero!"

You mean that unprofitable, back-breaking nonsense?

"Like I said before, if I work, I expect fair compensation."

There are already too many bastards out there who try to undercut others’ efforts.

Even Ilhong agreed to split the reward fairly, which is why she became my client.

"So what, you plan to become a wanderer?"

That would still count as a kind of troubleshooter.

Since I had no reputation yet, no one sought me out, so I thought I'd start with that.

"Yes, they get paid well even for the same work."

"Tsk tsk, how worldly of you."

Hwang Geolgae frowned at my answer.

"Of course I’m worldly. I live in the world. Have you ever gone so hungry your belly stuck to your back?"

Thwack!

As I kept talking back, a Flick Strike smacked the crown of my head.

"I was a beggar once too, you insolent brat."

It was an ambush that could be likened to a Lightning Sword.

"You damn!"

"Heh heh, the moment you get hit, all manners fly out the window, don’t they?"

Each time my skull buzzed, it felt like I was losing IQ points.

Hwang Geolgae laughed smugly, saying his hand was a healing one, as I bristled.

"Who in their right mind would hire a wanderer who keels over from a single Flick Strike?"

"Do you think this is just a Flick Strike? And for the record, I took down a Second Rate Martial Artist with a sword."

I’d defeated a martial artist with an alias. I should be able to find a client or two.

Even if I didn’t get work due to my age, I could always rely on a close noona’s guanxi.

"A Second Rate Martial Artist? You mean that brawl where you stabbed him in the gut to barely win?"

"A win is a win. Besides, I made great strides thanks to the ability of the Starfall Heart Cultivation Method."

It wasn’t just my internal energy that had grown.

Turns out the Heaven-Slaying Star learns best on the brink of death—both the Hundred-Knot Divine Fist and Whirlwind Steps, as well as the Starfall Heart Cultivation Method, had advanced considerably.

"Even if your inner energy increased, it’s useless if you can’t wield it properly."

"Then why don’t you see for yourself whether it’s useless or not?"

Clenching my fist tightly and stepping forward, I assumed the stance of the Hundred-Knot Divine Fist, taunting Hwang Geolgae.

As I said earlier, the Heaven-Slaying Star’s progress multiplies when death is at hand.

"You dare provoke this old man? You must truly be mad."

"Didn’t you know? Heaven-Slaying Stars are mad by nature."

If anything, I was one of the saner ones.

And through this dazzling achievement, I’d realized something: even if I got beaten within an inch of my life, if my martial arts improved, I ultimately came out ahead.

"Master, today your disciple shall commit the sin of rebelling against his teacher."

A declaration of rebellion aimed at my teacher. Hwang Geolgae let out a dumbfounded laugh.

"Spouting crap again, are you?"

He clicked his tongue, saying I always acted up whenever I gained a bit of internal energy.

"You always got the first hit, so now it’s my turn to attack first."

My pea-sized internal energy had grown to the size of a quail egg.

With heightened sensitivity to killing intent and fighting spirit, if I risked my life like I did in that alley against the Grab Technique, I might just be able to land a hit on this old raccoon.

"Acting so brazen, like I owe you something. Fine, come at me then."

Hwang Geolgae grinned with interest at my impudent challenge.

As soon as the words left his mouth, a chilling aura of fighting spirit began to rise from his entire body.

"...I'm going!"

A chance to test both my achievements and my limits.

Feeling the fierce internal energy coursing through every meridian of my body, I pushed off the ground with just my toes.

Taat—

A faint fragrance of tea filled the office of the Eunseong Trading Company.

Eun Hwaran slightly flinched her eyebrows when she saw the guest who had suddenly appeared like a ghost as she was about to lift her cup of Longjing tea.

"Noona."

There was only one person in the company who would call her that.

"Mujin?"

Turning her head, she saw the boy who had once delivered silk to the company grinning brightly.

It seemed he had successfully mastered Hwang Noya’s ghost-like footwork. She hadn’t even noticed him approaching.

"But what happened to your face?"

Eun Hwaran reached out to Dan Mujin’s cheek, which was bruised blue, and asked.

There wasn't a single unscathed spot on his body, as if he had been thoroughly beaten.

"I fought some cranky old man."

A cranky old man... she figured he was talking about Hwang Noya.

She had once peeked at their training. It was a brutal exchange of blows.

"Should I put some golden sore balm on it?"

"It's fine, spit works just as well."

Dan Mujin replied nonchalantly, wiping off a trace of a nosebleed with the back of his hand.

It must’ve hurt quite a bit, but he didn’t show it—rather manly of him.

That resilience brought a small smile to Eun Hwaran’s lips.

"Boss! Please slow down...!"

And then came a ponytailed child, panting as she chased after Dan Mujin.

"Ah! Greetings, Eun Hwaran Trading Lord-nim."

She had followed without much thought, only to realize too late that this was the Trading Lord’s office.

She quickly bowed her head. Children her age were supposed to feel intimidated before someone like Eun Hwaran.

"Noona. Can I eat this?"

Mujin truly was unique. It hadn’t even been four months since they met, and yet he treated her with the casual boldness of a real sibling.

"Oh, this one's good. Ilhong, you try it too."

He sniffed around and naturally popped the sweet tanghwa into his mouth.

The more she looked at him, the more he reminded her of someone.

"Boss... is it okay to just eat the Trading Lord-nim's treats like that?"

A thin, delicate voice. This was the child who had been sticking to Mujin lately.

They sometimes trained together too, didn’t they? Perhaps Hwang Noya had taken her in as a disciple—or maybe he was just teaching her a few things.

Eun Hwaran’s gaze, ever skilled at assessing people’s worth, briefly lingered on Ilhong.

"Noona said before we could eat freely."

"Still, how does someone like you end up with such an amazing noona...?"

At first, covered in dust, it had been hard to tell—but once washed, dressed, and groomed, she looked like a proper young girl.

Like a flower bud about to bloom, her potential felt full of promise.

"Just happened, somehow."

Mujin replied curtly, as if too busy eating to explain.

Was this a leftover habit from his days as a beggar?

"So, what brings you here, Mujin?"

Eun Hwaran sipped her Longjing tea calmly as she asked.

The lingering rich flavor and tea aroma filled her mouth.

Even though it was the same tea as last time, it felt less bitter—probably because the financial strain had somewhat eased.

And that too was thanks to the child now chewing on dried persimmons.

"Noona, do you know the Beijing Wanderers' Guild?"

"Of course. I'm on good terms with their Chairman. We always stop by there whenever we need more escorts for the delivery team."

Dan Mujin nodded as if things were going well after hearing Eun Hwaran’s explanation.

They always visited during escort trips? It must’ve been like a subcontractor hiring place.

"Then, can you introduce me, noona?"

Eun Hwaran tilted her head slightly, puzzled by Dan Mujin’s request.

"Of course I can... but are you planning to become a wanderer?"

"For now, yes."

"I’ve heard it's quite difficult to carry out someone else's request."

"As you know, I’m fairly capable. I think I’ll manage."

Come to think of it, Eunseong Trading Company had already benefited from his abilities twice.

"If that's the case, why not work for our Escort Agency? I’ll back you all the way."

She sparkled with excitement as she made the offer.

She even tempted him with a high-ranking position, but Dan Mujin remained unmoved.

"I’ll consider that after resolving my personal matters first."

It was a good job, but how could one accumulate good karma transporting goods and trading?

He politely declined, saying he’d only accept the sentiment.

"Anyway, could you introduce me to the Wanderers' Guild?"

Eun Hwaran nodded reluctantly, wearing a slightly disappointed expression.

"Take this Eunseong Token and go. Tell them you came with my recommendation—they’ll treat you well."

Dan Mujin received the small, round metal token and tucked it inside his robe.

Had he gone alone, they would’ve surely shouted, “What’s a brat like you doing here?!” and thrown him out—just like when he sought work in Beijing in the past.

But now, he had the solid backing of a Trading Lord from one of the Ten Great Trading Companies.

This was the power of guanxi—something that couldn’t be bought with money.

"Thanks, noona."

"Don’t mention it. Ask me anything, anytime."

Setting down her teacup, Eun Hwaran habitually reached for something sweet as she replied.

But Dan Mujin had already demolished the sweets.

It was because the body of a Heaven-Slaying Star, having just finished a fight, craved immense energy.

Unaware of that, Eun Hwaran and Ilhong could only stare at Dan Mujin with stunned expressions.

"The more I look, the more you resemble Hwang Noya."

A comment that slipped out unintentionally.

"What an insult!"

Dan Mujin firmly denied it, insisting he wasn’t some filthy beggar.

Even that line sounded just like his master.

"Heh."

A teacher and student pair who despised each other yet looked alike—it was an amusing relationship.

Eun Hwaran covered her mouth with a fan and chuckled for a while, clearly entertained.

A slender face, snow-white skin, and hair tied tightly in a horse-tail knot.

With a face full of sorrow as if mourning someone, the beautiful woman pointed her blood-soaked sword somewhere.

"Guh, why is the Cold Jade Maiden here...!"

The blade tip slashed mercilessly across the neck of the demonic practitioner, who had shouted in horror.

Blood sprayed like a fountain. The demonic practitioner who had massacred an entire village let out a gurgling death rattle before falling silent.

Even as warm blood drenched her body, the woman maintained her elegance—truly the Cold Jade Maiden.

"Because of scum like you... my younger brother..."

When the evil karma of humans reaches its peak, it is said that the heavens become enraged and send down a Heaven-Slaying Star.

Murong Cheonghye looked down at the demonic practitioner, filled with contempt. One who had killed countless innocent civilians.

If only scum like this didn’t exist.

"...No, perhaps the most vicious one is me, who cut down her own brother."

The reason that had been sustained through rage at the wicked was quickly blurred by a flood of guilt.

Her hand gripping the sword trembled uncontrollably.

"Cold Jade Maiden, why not rest a moment before moving again? At this rate, you’ll collapse before long."

The Captain of the Demon-Slaying Unit of the Murim Alliance looked upon Murong Cheonghye, who was clearly pushing herself, with pity.

"Captain, where is the next demonic practitioner?"

"Cold Jade Maiden..."

Words couldn’t reach her. The Captain let out a deep sigh at her closed-off demeanor.

Murong Cheonghye sheathed her long sword and turned away as she spoke.

"I have no right to rest."

In the chill winds that began to blow after summer, during the early autumn,

She still stood on that cliff where rain and wind had once poured down.